Have you ever wondered how to measure Victor Wembanyama’s height in Oreo cookies, how birth order affects NBA performance, or which zodiac sign is the best at basketball?

Chances are you haven’t. But for those questions and others you didn’t even know you had, the NBA Research & Development Department has an answer.

The account’s bio proclaims it’s, “The official unofficial testing lab of the NBA,” and it’s not entirely unsanctioned.

NBA R&D is the brainchild of NBA Take-Two Media, a collaboration between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the NBA 2K video game series. The new entertainment company, shorthanded as NBAT2, formed last summer and produces competitive gaming, social-first content, original programming and live events.

Basketball, yes. But fashion, baddies, and astrocartography, too

NBAT2 CEO Andrew Perlmutter said the partnership taps into basketball’s broader appeal.

“Basketball, as a force, isn’t just a sport and it doesn’t just reflect culture. It shapes culture,” Perlmutter said. “And it is wired into so many other facets of culture that we all love, whether it’s gaming or fashion or music or color theory or astrocartography.”

NBA R&D explores many of those concepts in its videos, which follow an experiment format reliant on a plethora of graphs and absurdly large calculators but shot in a style that feels like a workplace comedy mockumentary.

The mad scientists both in front of the camera and behind the scenes are members of a five-person team led by Cayla DeRegis, NBAT2’s director of social. As of Jan. 16, the R&D Instagram account has about 26,200 followers with some posts amassing tens of thousands of likes.

“They’re all built around the idea that NBA Take-Two really embodies, which is that basketball is connected to so many other facets of culture,” DeRegis said. “The term ‘NBA research and development department’ came up and we spent the entire hour talking about this idea. After that creative session, we kind of took it more seriously and decided to really build out the world of NBA R&D and the experiment format kind of came out of that initial conversation.”

The NBA R&D creative process begins with daily hourlong brainstorm meetings, which DeRegis characterized as having “writer’s room vibes.” Once an experiment idea is hatched, it can take anywhere from a few hours to weeks to research, shoot and edit the content.

Some experiments are rooted in actual gameplay, like analyzing whether lefthanded players outperform righthanded players, or attempting to predict Kevin Durant’s Rockets scoring average based on players who previously completed the NBA jersey rainbow.  

Other concepts pull from the league’s off-court storylines and social conversations. The R&D team invented a baddie performance index to quantify how NBA players score compared to their average when an attractive woman sits courtside. In another pair of videos, they use tarot to predict a WNBA champion and use astrocartography to trade Los Angeles Lakers players.

NBA analysis, but tailored for casual viewers and non-fans, too

DeRegis said her team is aware that the account’s audience is a mix of longtime NBA fans and people who have never watched a basketball game, so they try to make content that appeals to everyone.

“That’s what we’re trying to do, is bring in those people that make basketball and sports more accessible,” DeRegis said. “That’s something that we were really excited about with this initial idea, is taking something that is so inherent to sports culture, which is like numbers, stats and analysis, and spinning it on its head to make it more entertaining for people who don’t really know as much about the game.”

Some videos include cameos by current and former NBA players including Karl-Anthony Towns, Donte DiVincenzo, Carmelo Anthony and Lance Stephenson.

Celebrity cameos aren’t limited to basketball players. Olympic gymnast Suni Lee appeared in a “Courtside Baddie 101” video where she lectures R&D team members on the steps to becoming a courtside baddie (spoiler alert: Olympic medals help).

Perlmutter and DeRegis said the account regularly receives positive online comments from players, who are excited to collaborate with the R&D team because of the playful, low-pressure environment.

“They’re people, too, and helping them tap into their off-court personalities, who they are as people, helping them build their brand, that’s part of our mission,” Perlmutter said. “We get the privilege of putting them in those frames, and it often brings out a really fun, authentic version of them that they’re proud of and that the audience is really keen to see.”

Interactive elements a key component of NBAT2’s popularity

The account’s bio includes a hotline that people can call to leave ideas for experiments, part of an intentional effort to involve the audience in the science. After a recent video ranked the top 80 hottest NBA players, R&D invited viewers to submit their own rankings through an online form.

“I think that’s what is really powerful about 2K is how interactive it is,” Perlmutter said. “Social media today is very participatory. The trends and the content creators who are, I think, most beloved are folks who make the user feel like the user, the fan, can participate in the activity – and I think we’re trying to embody that with all of our programming.”

In addition to the R&D account, NBAT2 operates an NBA 2K League that features NBA players and content creators competing with fans in virtual and live in-person events. Another NBAT2 project is a travel show hosted by former Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah called, “NOMAD,” which examines culture through the lens of basketball and which Perlmutter describes as sharing a loose kinship with Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.”

The goal behind it all, Perlmutter said, is to connect with young people who consume entertainment on social media and who are just as interested in celebrity culture or video games as they are what happens on a competitive basketball court. Ideally, NBAT2 will appeal to its existing core of 2K users and simultaneously expand its reach to an entirely new audience.

Asked to choose her favorite NBA R&D video, DeRegis protested that it was like being asked to choose her favorite child. As the self-described “astrology witchy girl” of the group, she is partial to concepts that include an astrology angle. However, the beauty of the wide-ranging experiments is that there’s something for everyone.

That’s why DeRegis isn’t surprised NBA R&D has resonated with people.

“I think we were really passionate about it and we all just kind of knew in that room that this was a winning idea,” she said. “So I don’t think that I’m surprised, but I’m very happy with the results in that our feelings of it being a good idea really were correct and paid off.”

The NBA All-Star Game is rapidly approaching, and we’ll get some resolution today – at least on the first five from each conference.

The league will announce the starters for the Eastern and Western conferences Monday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, during the pre-game show ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder-Cleveland Cavaliers game.

The NBA has released data from two returns of fan vote totals, giving a hint about who’s likely to earn the honor. So Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks appear to be safe bets, as they were the only two players to clear at least 2 million fan votes in numbers that dropped Jan. 6.

Here’s everything you need to know about the selection of the 2026 NBA All-Stars and our picks for who will start and who should start:

How are NBA All-Stars selected?

There are 24 All-Stars, with 12 per conference. Players are selected without regard for position.

The 10 starters (five per conference) are selected through three tranches: fan votes (50%), current NBA player votes (25%) and a media panel (25%).

Then, on Feb. 1, the 14 reserves (seven per conference) will be announced, and those players will be selected by NBA head coaches. There is one wrinkle this year, however.

Because the league is using a USA versus the world format in which three, 8-player teams will compete in a round-robin tournament, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will intervene and appoint additional All-Stars so that there are enough players to reach the quota of at least 16 U.S.-born players and eight international players. If necessary, the international players can include American players with ties to other countries.

NBA All-Star starters: Who should start?

As one of the media members selected to participate, here’s the ballot I submitted to the online system managed by Ernst & Young:

Eastern Conference

• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Western Conference

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
• Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

NBA All-Star starters predictions: Who will likely start?

Based on the most recent return of fan voting released by the NBA, here’s an educated guess at the likely starters announced Monday afternoon:

Eastern Conference

• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Western Conference

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
• Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

The game is set for Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

AI-assisted summary
• The Houston Texans lost to the New England Patriots 28-16 in the AFC divisional round.
• Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half of the playoff loss.
• Stroud’s performance has regressed over the past two seasons since his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
• Coach DeMeco Ryans and teammates publicly supported Stroud despite his poor postseason showing.

FOXBOROUGH, MA – Houston, we have a quarterback problem.

Following the Texans’ 28-16 loss in the divisional round – the third straight season that has ended at this stage for DeMeco Ryans’ team – to the New England Patriots on Jan. 18, quarterback C.J. Stroud said he felt like he let his team down. 

Four interceptions – all in the first half – justified his feelings. But it wasn’t just about his pair of sloppy performances from both postseason games, which included a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers six days prior in the wild-card round. Since an electrifying rookie season, Stroud has regressed over the past two seasons and been a crutch for a team that consistently boasts elite defenses, especially the 2025 version. 

“I just feel like I let people down, and I’m not happy with that,” Stroud said. “It hurts, and I’m not naïve to it. I didn’t play my best this year, but I’m going to respond. I’m going to keep my chest up, my chin up high, and I’m going to just keep battling forward.”

Progress has largely evaded Stroud. Just ask Troy Aikman, who was calling the game for ESPN. 

“(Stroud) has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years,” Aikman said in the final minutes of the game on the broadcast. “He’s not been the same player. We’ve not seen the development from him. There’s a reason for that, and it has to be addressed.”

Stroud became the first player in NFL history to throw five interceptions and fumble the ball five times in a single postseason. He accomplished that unfortunate history in less than six quarters of action. 

‘C.J. is our guy.’ Houston players reflect on poor playoff performances

“C.J. is our guy,” Ryans said. “I believed that he could come back out in the second half and flip it. I believed that he could play better, and he did that in the second half.”

Houston moved the ball better in the final 30 minutes, but it didn’t result in any touchdowns. Stroud finished 20-for-47 with 212 passing yards and was sacked three times. 

Ryans tried to shield his quarterback from criticism by assigning himself the most blame.

“We have a really special group, a tight-knit group, and when things don’t go your way, you have bad performances, it’s not a time to point fingers or say it’s on one person,” Ryans said. 

How close this team became over a 10-game winning streak, after a 0-3 start that had everybody counting the 2025 Texans out, is “what kills you when you lose,” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said. 

“That’s what makes it such a blessing when you can reflect on how far you’ve come,” he said. “From where this team started to where this team ended up?” 

When last season ended at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, Al-Shaair felt his “terrible” game was the reason for the loss. He remembers sitting in the Arrowhead Stadium visitors’ locker room and not being able to face his teammates. His instruction to Stroud was to not forget the feeling – let it fuel the next season. 

“I know exactly what it feels like to feel like you let the team down,” Al-Shaair said. “You just truly believe that you’re going to find a way to win this ballgame. 

Stroud appreciated the conscientious effort of his teammates to comfort him during a distressing time. 

“I’m really appreciative of this team and them doing that because they didn’t have to,” Stroud said. “But yeah, it was not easy. It’s something that I’m going to learn from. I’m just grateful my teammates were picking me up.”

Stroud was without Nico Collins, who suffered a concussion during the Pittsburgh game. Tight end Dalton Schultz departed in the first quarter with a calf injury. That left him targeting third-year wideout Xavier Hutchinson 13 times. Rookie Jayden Higgins had 10 targets.  

Hutchinson referred to Stroud as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

“I believe that. It wasn’t the best game for a lot of us. That’s just how the ball goes, sometimes,” Hutchinson said.  

Texans need to ‘stop beating themselves.’ That starts with Stroud

For the team to take that next step and start competing for Super Bowls, Hutchinson said they needed to “stop beating themselves.” 

“It doesn’t feel great. It’s just plain and simple,” he said. “You can’t beat yourselves in the playoffs, and that’s exactly what we did today. 

“A lot of times, we got in our own way,” 

For that, the conductor – the quarterback – deserves requisite ridicule, given the stage and the stakes. That applies to all quarterbacks who turn the ball over multiple times in a game of this magnitude, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills included.

There were plenty of dropbacks against Mike Vrabel’s defense in which Stroud had nowhere to throw and nobody to throw to. The conditions were not conducive to the clean delivery of the football, although the dry setting of Monday’s night game didn’t prevent him from putting the ball on the ground five times (he recovered three of his fumbles). But the pick-six he surrendered, when K’Lavon Chaisson chased Stroud down on a partially broken play, could have been avoided by throwing the ball away or taking a sack. 

“It’s something I can learn from, and it just sucks that it has to be in this game, in this environment, on this stage,” Stroud said. “But like I said, I’m not going to hold my head down. I just feel bad. I really feel like I let my teammates down.” 

For the divisional-round delusion – the team is 0-3 with the Ryans-Stroud coach-QB pairing but has at least advanced to the round in their first three seasons together – to cease in Houston, Stroud has to clean up the inconsistencies. He has a case of botching the easy plays but converting the difficult ones. Peyton Manning recently said that doing the boring thing, for a quarterback, is an acquired skill. Stroud did that with ease as he rolled to 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he was eighth in MVP voting. The two following seasons have seen less production, more turnovers, the changing of offensive coordinator from Bobby Slowik to Nick Caley and more frustration. 

In one breath, Stroud can put the ball in a place only Higgins can catch it on a key third down. And in the next, he’s throwing with zero direction to the sideline and being intercepted by Carlton Davis with 1:37 left in the first quarter. 

Sometimes it is his fault, sometimes it’s not. There is nothing to be done about Craig Woodson’s  interception, as an accurate pass for a sizable gain over the middle hit Hutchinson in the hands. Except the receiver didn’t catch the ball, and Woodson easily caught the deflection.

“I believe C.J. has done a lot of great things throughout this entire year,” Ryans said. “I know C.J. I know what it means to him. If anybody, you think about how anybody is feeling at this moment, you think about C.J. I think about the man, first and foremost. It’s not about the player.

“Of course it’s not what we would have hoped for. It’s not what we thought would happen. But I still stand by the young man, believe in him and what he’s done for us to be in the position we’re in right here today. It’s because of him and all of the guys on our team, for battling, fighting hard, making the plays to put us in this position.”

Stroud credited the McNair family and Texans ownership for bringing in general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans to stabilize the organization. He sees a bright future in Houston. Will Anderson Jr., the stud defensive end who had three sacks and forced two of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s four fumbles, told reporters that he and Stroud – selected third and second, respectively, in the 2023 draft – are just getting started. 

“I’m excited to be in it and to be on this team and in this city. I don’t take that for granted,” Stroud said. “But I think Will is right. We have a lot of ball left in our careers, God willing. We’re going to learn from this and move on.” 

That sounds nice. It’s also contingent on the Texans not moving on from him first.

TCU women’s baketball star Donovyn Hunter is aware her team has an a different makeup than those that typically make the Final Four. Including Hunter, the Horned Frogs’ 14-person roster has 10 transfer players.Yet, the junior guard is unfazed.

‘In my brain, it’s kind of funny because it’s a little bit normalized in my head of ‘Oh, it’s an easy process to mesh people together,’ but when you really take a step back and think about it, it’s hard,’ Hunter told USA TODAY Sports.

‘That’s a testament to the coaching staff, to [head coach] Mark [Campbell], as they are strategically figuring out, like, ‘OK, who do we want in the portal? Who are these graduate transfers or seniors, a lot of girls who are experienced in college basketball?”

TCU’s starting lineup is all transfer players. Hunter, who is in her second season under head coach Mark Campbell, came from Oklahoma State. After choosing to forego the 2025 WNBA draft, senior guard Olivia Miles transferred from Notre Dame. Senior forward Marta Suarez joined TCU after two seasons each at Tennessee and Cal. Sophomore center Clara Silva and senior guard Maddie Scherr both came from Kentucky. The remaining members of the roster are a mix of homegrown and transfer players.

Trying to fit that many new faces into an established culture could be challenging, but Hunter credits Campbell and staff for making the transition easy. She says they’ve enforced things like ‘pod meals’ each week, which require each player to eat with different teammates to encourage bonding outside of basketball. The players also take it upon themselves to hang out regularly, watching TV or visiting a haunted house, as they did last Halloween.

The established culture has supported Hunter during her best season yet. She’s averaging career highs in points (12.2 per game), rebounds (3.1 per game) and steals (1.5 per game). Hunter is shooting a career-high 47.3% from the field and 36.23% from 3. She credits Campbell’s encouragement and supportive presence. Hunter said she did a lot of offseason mental work as well to cultivate a more aggressive mindset and improve her basketball IQ.

‘It’s a mix of finally just being able to come in comfortable, having a role, having that leadership aspect and already knowing kind of what’s expected of me,’ Hunter said. ‘And that made it easier in the offseason to be able to work on things that I knew I wanted to personally work on, but then also know that it would translate automatically into the game, knowing the system already.’

Knowing TCU’s system and Campbell’s expectations helped Hunter step into her growing leadership role. When the Horned Frogs lost 87-77 in overtime to Utah, Hunter spoke up, ‘No negative talk, heads up,’ as their undefeated run ended. She remained optimistic because she knows what TCU is capable of, ranked 20th or better in the nation in multiple categories.

The Horned Frogs have the second-ranked scoring defense behind UConn, holding opponents to an average of 51.9 points a game. The team is also top 10 in blocks per game (6.1). On the offensive side, the Horned Frogs’ 48.9 field goal percentage is ranked ninth and they are averaging 82.4 points per game.

Miles powers TCU’s seventh-ranked 19.7 assists a game, averaging 7.3. Miles also has a nation-leading four triple-doubles this season. Hunter said she’s ‘crazy impressed’ by how the senior guard plays and sees the game. Still, Miles’ success hasn’t surprised Hunter because she believes TCU’s system, which is pick-and-roll heavy, has suited many of the team’s 10 transfers.

‘My mind was automatically excited when I heard that Olivia [Miles] was coming, just because I knew that she would get the ball moving,’ Hunter told USA TODAY. ‘She would get it flowing, and all of us would be able to efficiently use the system that Mark [Campbell] wants us to because she wants everybody involved.’

Hunter was surprised how invested Miles is despite this season being her last. (Miles is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.) Miles shared with the team that she wants to be ‘bought in, all in, 10 toes down with y’all’, and that has translated to the court. That sort of mindset can also be felt in Suarez, another key player essential to TCU’s success.

The former Cal forward is second on the team in scoring (16.9 points a game) and third in rebounds (6.3). Suarez also leads the team in made 3-pointers (42). ‘That girl wants the ball to score,’ Hunter said of Suarez. Whether it’s practice, summer workouts, preseason workouts or any scrimmage, Suarez wants the points.

‘It’s awesome for us when we know we need a bucket,’ Hunter said, ‘Marta [Saurez is] going to deliver for us.’

True to form, it was Suarez who the Horned Frogs leaned on during a down-to-the-wire matchup against West Virginia. The TCU forward drained a 3-pointer to seal the Big 12 victory. While it’s not ideal to depend on pressure-filled shot to win games, it just left TCU wanting more. The Horned Frogs goal is simple: make the Final Four.

In 2025, TCU won its first Big 12 championship and reached the Elite Eight. The Horned Frogs beat No. 7 Louisville in the second round and Miles and the No. 3 Fighting Irish during the Sweet 16 before falling to No. 1 seed Texas, one game shy of the Final Four. According to Hunter, TCU can get back to the Elite Eight (and beyond) by heeding one hopeful Campbell motto.

‘I would say ― our coach says it all the time ― simple plays,’ Hunter said. ‘He always talks about ‘don’t get bored with being boring,’ which sounds very simple, but I think with basketball, it’s easy when you start to get into a flow, and you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, so and so hit a crazy 3. You just had a crazy pass. Now let’s try some crazy wild things that were fully not even a part of the plan going into the game.’

‘Everyone at this point knows the offensive weapons that we have on the team and how everybody can get going each night, but if we lock in on defense and we focus in on the [intentionality] of that, I think that we really could make it far.’

The final day of the college football season is upon us. The two participants in Monday night’s College Football Playoff finale might not have been predicted by, well, anybody at the start of the campaign, but they should provide compelling theater.

Anybody who is still under the impression that Indiana is the plucky underdog in these playoffs hasn’t been paying attention. The Hoosiers earned their top seed and have played like it in dominant victories against Alabama and Oregon, not exactly no-name schools in the playoff era. Now the final obstacle to the program’s first ever football national championship is Miami, once a powerhouse of the sport that had been wandering in the wilderness for nearly a quarter of a century.

This didn’t appear to be the year the Hurricanes would climb back to the top, as they were the last at-large team included in the field. But here they are with an opportunity to claim the title in familiar surroundings at Hard Rock Stadium, the predetermined site of this year’s CFP finale.

Here’s everything you need to know as you take in the action.

CFP title game: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Why watch: Whether playing on its home field will have any appreciable positive impact for Miami remains to be seen. The Hurricanes will likely have a significant part of the crowd behind them, though there will be no shortage of Hoosiers’ followers in attendance as well. Miami’s biggest concern is the high level of execution Indiana has demonstrated in the postseason. Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza has been a big part of that, of course, but he’s had plenty of help. RBs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby are providing ample ground support, and his top trio of WRs Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper and Charlie Becker have been catching everything thrown their way. Mendoza’s protection has also been excellent, but Miami DEs Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor might prove more difficult to keep out of the backfield.

The Hurricanes’ playoff wins haven’t been as decisive, but QB Carson Beck has made the key plays when needed. WR Malachi Toney often provides the lightning while RB Mark Fletcher brings the thunder for Miami. But Beck will need an error-free performance against the Hoosiers’ defense, which has done its part by generating takeaways. No matter where Miami goes with the ball, expect to see Hoosiers LBs Rolijah Hardy and Aiden Fisher somewhere in the vicinity at the end of the play. Even the kicking game has been a largely smooth operation for the Hoosiers. PK Nico Radicic has missed just one field-goal try in 17 attempts.

Why it could disappoint: As we’ve seen, Indiana is quite capable of wire-to-wire domination. But the Hoosiers have been in their share of close contests as well. If Miami can borrow a page from Ohio State and keep the high-powered Hoosiers’ offense off the field, a less flashy but highly intense affair could unfold.

In the Year of the Big Ten, we’re starting to see some real definition in the NCAA hockey ranks. That conference continues to dominate our power rankings thanks to the high-end Wolverines and Spartans, the fiercest of Michigan rivals. But Penn State is still hanging around, while Wisconsin may be at a tipping point. The fact the Badgers host the Nittany Lions next weekend could not be better timed.

Elsewhere, it feels like North Dakota is back to its title-seeking ways, as the Fighting Hawks are putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack in the NCHC – but it’s still going to be a fight in the playoffs.

Truly, only Hockey East is still a quandary, Perhaps the additions of 2026 NHL draft prospects Tynan Lawrence at Boston University and Oscar Hemming at Boston College can help the matter, though both are still getting up to speed in the college game.

1. Michigan Wolverines (20-4-0)

No Jack Ivankovic (NSH), no problem. The Wolverines rode freshman goalie Stephen Peck to a pair of victories over Minnesota with their star injured and as usual it was a team effort. Jayden Perron (CAR) has been hot of late with six points in his past four games.

2. Michigan State Spartans (17-5-0)

The Spartans kept pace with Michigan by sweeping Wisconsin. Ryker Lee (NSH) had three points in the series, while physical defenseman Colin Ralph (STL) had a couple assists himself. He now has an impressive 10 points on the year – and offense isn’t even his best attribute.

3. North Dakota Fighting Hawks (18-6-0)

While the Hawks may have split with Denver on the weekend, it was the sheer annihilating force of their win that truly stood out: They shut out the Pioneers 5-0. North Dakota is getting contributions from everywhere, but freshman center Cole Reschny (CGY) now has three multi-point games in a row.

4. Quinnipiac Bobcats (18-4-2)

While Dartmouth got out of the gates hot, the ECAC is back in Quinnipiac hands and that should worry the rest of the nation come tournament time. The Bobcats have won 13 of 15 and freshman Ethan Wyttenbach (CGY) continues to rule with 33 points in 24 games.

5. Western Michigan Broncos (16-6-0)

The defending national champs were idle this week, but a big showdown with Minnesota-Duluth awaits on the docket. The Broncos have won seven in a row, including non-conference victories over Wisconsin and Boston College, not to mention a sweep of Denver.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions (16-6-0)

Gavin McKenna (2026 draft) is using the momentum he gained at the world juniors with bronze-medal Canada, as the ultra-skilled freshman has six points in four games since returning. Meanwhile, D-man Jackson Smith (CBJ) has four in his past three.

7. Providence College Friars (13-7-2)

It seems like no one wants to seize Hockey East this year, but perhaps the Friars are the answer. They’ve won four in a row and seven of eight to get hot at the right time. Highly-touted freshman Roger McQueen (ANA) is leading the offense with 19 points in 22 games.

8. Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (17-7-0)

The Dawgs were uncharacteristically blown out 6-0 by St. Cloud State, but recovered to win the rematch with the Huskies this week. Duluth has a tough schedule from here on out, so we’re going to get a great sense of what this team is made of before the NCHC tournament.

9. Wisconsin Badgers (15-5-2)

Is there a top three in the Big Ten, or a top four? The Badgers were swept by Michigan State, but have two series left against Penn State and one against Michigan. Even splits in those games would prove a lot. Freshman Daniel Hauser has been excellent in net.

10. Cornell Big Red (12-5-0)

Losing to Quinnipiac is no shame, especially right now. But if Cornell wants to make the ECAC interesting, the next game against Dartmouth will be crucial. Freshman blueliner Xavier Veilleux (NYI) has four points in his past four games, while Ryan Walsh (BOS) leads the offense with 18 points in 17 games.

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic were in London for a regular-season game in London on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Actor Vanessa Williams was tasked with singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the game at London’s O2 Arena.

During Williams’ rendition of the song, a member of the crowd was heard interrupting and drawing a reaction from the crowd. ‘Leave Greenland alone,’ the audience member yelled before the comment was met with cheers from the crowd.

The heckling that took place on Sunday is just the latest incident in which a sporting event has served as a platform for a member of the audience to share its displeasure for the U.S. president and his foreign policies. Canadians booed during the national anthem in 2025 after verbally threatening to raise tariffs on goods.

The NBA previously had held a game in London annually from 2011 until 2019 (other than during the 2012 season). The league returned for Sunday’s game after holding a game between the Magic and Grizzlies in Berlin on Thursday.

UConn and Notre Dame used to be one of the great women’s college basketball’s rivalries, dating back to the teams time together in the Big East.

Since 2011, the two have eliminated each other seven times from the NCAA tournament. UConn is 38-16 all-time against Notre Dame, but 5-5 in the last 10 matchups. The Fighting Irish have dominated of late, winning the last three games.

If ever there was time to end that skid, it’s now. UConn (18-0) has won 34 straight dating back to last season. Sarah Strong is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games. Azzi Fudd adds 17.4 points.

Notre Dame (12-5) has had up-and-down season. Point guard Hannah Hidalgo is still a star — ranking first nationally in steals and third in scoring — averaging 25 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 5.6 steals. Cassandre Prosper is adding 19 points over the last 10 games for the Fighting Irish.

What time is UConn vs. Notre Dame?

The UConn Huskies take on former Big East rival Notre Dame on Monday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. ET at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

UConn vs. Notre Dame: TV, streaming

• Date: Monday, Jan. 19
• Time: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)
• Location: Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, Connecticut)
• TV: Fox
• Stream: Fubo